The Invitation by Anne Cherian A Novel

A moving story that redefines the meaning of family, friendship, and success among a group of first-generation Indian immigrants.

When Vikram invites three of his college friends to his son’s graduation from MIT, they accept out of obligation and curiosity, viewing the party as a twenty-fifth reunion of sorts. Village genius Vikram, now the founder of a lucrative computer company, is having the party against his son’s wishes. Frances and Jay regret accepting: Frances, a real estate agent, hasn't sold a house in a year; Jay’s middle management job isn't brag worthy; and their daughter is failing the eleventh grade. Lali plans to hide the fact that her once-happy marriage is crumbling because her American husband is discovering his Jewish roots. Each had left UCLA expecting to be successful and have even more successful children. At Vikram’s Newport Beach mansion, the showmanship they anticipate dissolves as each is forced to deal with his or her own problems. The follow-up to A Good Indian Wife, Anne Cherian’s novel resonates with the poignancy of real life colliding with expectations unmet.

Publishers Weekly

Cherianâs latest (after A Good Indian Wife) is a character-driven page-turner revolving around four first-generation Indian immigrant friendsâmost of whom havenât seen one another in the 25 years since college.

Entertainment Weekly

But once dispersed by graduation, they don't reunite for a quarter century, until the socially bumbling member of their clique  now a computer-company millionaire  invites them to celebrate his son's MIT graduation.

Story Circle Book Reviews

Neworld Review

With this setup, she noted, the chances for a soul-sustaining experience of Love were seriously compromised: “On the day when it will be possible for woman to love not in her weakness but in strength, not to escape herself but to find herself, not to abase herself but to assert herself -- on...